miR-301a-mediated crosstalk between the Hedgehog and HIPPO/YAP signaling pathways promotes pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) poses a significant challenge in oncology due to its dismal prognosis and limited therapeutic options. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-301a in facilitating crosstalk between the Hedgehog (Hh) and HIPPO/YAP signaling pathways during the progression of PDAC. Our findings revealed that miR-301a served as a central regulatory node, targeting Gli1 within the Hh pathway and STK4 within the HIPPO/YAP pathway.

Colchicine improves severe acute pancreatitis-induced acute lung injury by suppressing inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress in rats.

Background: Inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress contribute to the development of severe acute pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury (SAP-ALI). Currently, there is no curative treatment for SAP-ALI in the clinic. This study investigated the potential therapeutic role and mechanisms of colchicine in a rat model of SAP-ALI.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for proximal duodenal subepithelial lesions: a retrospective cohort study.

Background And Aim: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been used to remove subepithelial lesions (SELs) in recent years; however, duodenal ESD is associated with high rates of immediate or delayed bleeding and perforation. Whether ESD can be recommended for the treatment of duodenal SELs remains controversial. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of ESD for duodenal SELs.

Radiocontrast agent and intraductal pressure promote the progression of post-ERCP pancreatitis by regulating inflammatory response, cellular apoptosis, and tight junction integrity.

Objective: Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) is the most common complication following ERCP and the mechanism is not fully understood. This study evaluated the changes in the inflammatory response, cellular apoptosis, and tight junction integrity in a rat model of pancreatitis to explore the underlying mechanism.

Methods: PEP was induced in rats by retrograde biliopancreatic ductal infusion of contrast agents or saline.

Design of Phase-Changeable and Injectable Alginate Hydrogel for Imaging-Guided Tumor Hyperthermia and Chemotherapy.

The objective of the present study was to construct an alginate (AG)-based phase-changeable and injectable hydrogel for imaging-guided tumor hyperthermia and chemotherapy. Based on the binding between the α-l-guluronic blocks of AG and calcium ions, the AG/MoS/BiS-poly(ethylene glycol) (MBP)/doxorubicin (DOX) solution formed a cross-linked hydrogel to simultaneously encapsulate MBP nanosheets and DOX within the hydrogel matrix. The in situ formed hydrogel can act as a reservoir to control the release of entrapped drug molecules, and the doped MBP nanosheets and DOX can realize computed tomography/photoacoustic dual-modal imaging-guided in vivo tumor photothermal therapy and chemotherapy, respectively.

Overexpression of YKL-40 Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients Undergoing Curative Resection of Pancreatic Cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of YKL-40 expression in patients undergoing curative resection of pancreatic cancer.

Methods: This cohort study included 234 consecutive patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent curative resection. Surgical specimens were immunohistochemically assessed for YKL-40 expression.

Toll-like receptor 4 promotes angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer via PI3K/AKT signaling.

Deregulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is closely associated with the progression of various types of cancers, but its role in pancreatic carcinogenesis is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of TLR4 in the angiogenesis of pancreatic cancer and the underlying molecular mechanisms. The culture supernatant (conditioned medium) of PANC-1 cells after appropriate treatment was used for the treatment of HUVECs.

[Liquid-based cytology diagnosis of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of pancreatic lesions].

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of liquid-based cytology test (LCT) in pancreatic lesions sampled by ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 556 cases of LCT smears sampled by EUS-FNA of pancreatic lesions was performed, and 164 cases had histologic diagnosis with subsequent surgical resection or biopsy and immunohistochemistry. The accuracy of the cytologic diagnosis was assessed using the histologic diagnosis as the gold standard.

Bulk pancreatic cancer cells can convert into cancer stem cells(CSCs) in vitro and 2 compounds can target these CSCs.

Increasing evidence has confirmed the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. However, the origin of CSCs is still uncertain, and few agents have been capable of eliminating CSCs till now. The aim of this study was to investigate whether bulk pancreatic cancer cells could convert into CSCs under certain conditions and explore whether metformin and curcumin can kill pancreatic CSCs.

Aberrant DNA methyltransferase expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma development and progression.

Background: Altered gene methylation, regulated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) 1, 3a and 3b, contributes to tumorigenesis. However, the role of DNMT in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unknown.

Methods: Expression of DNMT 1, 3a and 3b was detected in 88 Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and 10 normal tissue samples by immunohistochemistry.

Adenovirus vector-mediated Gli1 siRNA induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer with Smo-dependent or Smo-independent Hh pathway activation in vitro and in vivo.

Activation of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is a core molecular mechanism in pancreatic carcinogenesis. However, the inhibition of upstream Hh signals does not inhibit the growth of a subset of pancreatic cancer (PC). This study was to examine the effect of siRNA targeting Gli1, the downstream component of Hh pathway, on PC cells and to provide some insight into the underlying mechanisms.

Prenylated phloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum sampsonii.

Six new acylphloroglucinol derivatives, sampsonols A-F (1-6), were isolated from the petroleum ether extract of the aerial parts of Hypericum sampsonii. The structures and relative configurations of sampsonols A-F were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. All these compounds were tested for their in vitro cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Gastro-protecting effect of gefarnate on chronic erosive gastritis with dyspeptic symptoms.

Background: The role of gastro-protecting agents on symptomatic chronic gastritis is unclear. This multicenter, open, randomized trial was designed to compare the comprehensive effects of gefarnate with sucralfate on erosive gastritis with dyspeptic symptoms.

Methods: Totally 253 dyspepsia patients confirmed with erosive gastritis were enrolled from six centers in China.

Comparison of antioxidative and antifibrotic effects of α-tocopherol with those of tocotrienol-rich fraction in a rat model of chronic pancreatitis.

Objectives: The α-tocopherol and tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) are considered effective antioxidants. This study aimed to compare the antioxidative and antifibrotic effects of α-tocopherol and TFR in dibutylin dichloride (DBTC)-induced chronic pancreatitis (CP) rats.

Methods: Oral administration of α-tocopherol and TFR (both 800 mg/kg per day) started the next day after DBTC (8 mg/kg) infusion into the tail vein for 4 weeks.

High expression of delta-like ligand 4 predicts poor prognosis after curative resection for pancreatic cancer.

Background: Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4)-Notch signaling plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis, but its prognostic value in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear. Our aim was to determine whether high DLL4 expression is correlated with poor prognosis after curative resection for PDAC.

Methods: Surgical specimens obtained from 89 patients with PDAC were immunohistochemically assessed for DLL4 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) expression.

Helicobacter pylori infection and gastritis: the Systematic Investigation of gastrointestinaL diseases in China (SILC).

Background And Aim: Helicobacter pylori infection remains common in East Asia, though its prevalence is decreasing in Western countries. H. pylori-related atrophic gastritis (AG) may reduce the likelihood of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Epidemiology of symptom-defined gastroesophageal reflux disease and reflux esophagitis: the systematic investigation of gastrointestinal diseases in China (SILC).

Objective: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is thought to be less prevalent in China than in Western countries. However, essential population-based endoscopy data are lacking for this country.

Material And Methods: As part of a wider study, 3600 individuals selected randomly from the Shanghai region were asked to undergo endoscopy.

Plasma miR-216a as a potential marker of pancreatic injury in a rat model of acute pancreatitis.

Aim: To study the potential value and specificity of plasma miR-216a as a marker for pancreatic injury.

Methods: Two rat models were applied in this article: L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis was used as one model to explore the potential value of plasma miR-216a for detection of pancreatic injury; nonlethal sepsis induced in rats by single puncture cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used as the other model to evaluate the specificity of plasma miR-216a compared with two commonly used markers (amylase and lipase) for acute pancreatitis. Plasmas were sampled from rats at indicated time points and total RNA was isolated.

Epidemiology of peptic ulcer disease: endoscopic results of the systematic investigation of gastrointestinal disease in China.

Objectives: Complications of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) are common in China. Population-based estimates of the prevalence of PUD are needed to quantify and characterize the population at risk of these complications.

Methods: As part of a large epidemiological study, 3,600 randomly selected residents of Shanghai (aged 18-80 years) were asked to undergo endoscopy and to provide blood samples for Helicobacter pylori serology.

Upregulated histone deacetylase 1 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and specific siRNA inhibits the growth of cancer cells.

Objectives: So far, there are no investigations about the role of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) in tumorigenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This study was designed to elucidate the roles and mechanisms of HDAC1 in tumorigenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry techniques were adopted to detect the expression of HDAC1 in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissues and paired paracancerous tissues.

[Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-guided brush cytology diagnosis of pancreatobiliary tumors].

Objective: To study the cytologic features of pancreatobiliary tumors in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-guided brushing preparations and to evaluate the usefulness of cytology in the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary malignancy.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 212 cases of ERCP-guided brush cytology smears performed during the period from January, 2004 to December, 2006. The cytologic diagnosis was confirmed either by the histologic diagnosis or the strict clinical criteria.

E1B-55kD-deleted oncolytic adenovirus armed with canstatin gene yields an enhanced anti-tumor efficacy on pancreatic cancer.

Conditionally-replicating adenovirus (CRAd) therapy is currently being tested against pancreatic cancer and has shown some promise. To improve the efficacy, a novel virus CRAd-Cans was designed by deletion of E1B-55kDa gene for selective replication in tumor cells, as well as carrying a new angiogenesis inhibitor gene, canstatin. CRAd-Cans mediated higher expression of canstatin in BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cell line compared to the replication-deficient adenovirus Ad5-Cans.

Significance of DNA methyltransferase-1 and histone deacetylase-1 in pancreatic cancer.

Epigenetic modifications play an important role during carcinogenesis. The main goal of this study was to examine expression levels of two critical enzymes, DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1) and histone deacetylase-1 (HDAC1), by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in human pancreatic cancer and precancerous lesions: 20 foci containing normal ductal epithelial cells without an inflammatory back-ground (DE), 30 containing ductal epithelial cells with an inflammatory background (DEI), 48 of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia-1A (PanIN-1A), 103 of PanIN-1B, 99 of PanIN-2, 30 of PanIN-3, 18 of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm A (IPMA), 10 of IPMB, 20 of IPMC, and 54 of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The expression levels of both DNMT1 and HDAC1 increased from normal to precancerous lesions to pancreatic cancer, in a malignancy-dependent manner.

A novel approach for treatment of unresectable extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma: design of radioactive stents and an experimental trial in healthy pigs.

Background: Patients diagnosed with extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma (EBDC) have a poor prognosis.

Objective: The purpose of these studies was to design radioactive stents for EBDC and to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the stents in healthy pigs.

Design: Plastic stents with inserted iodine-125 seeds were designed and tested in 11 healthy pigs.